Alterations to self consciousness during mindfulness meditation and Flotation REST a comparative study
June 30, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/8ncj6 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFlotation-Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) and mindfulness meditation both produce altered states of consciousness, including ego-dissolution and mystical-type experiences. Ego-dissolution scores exceeded ego-inflation scores in both groups, and Mystical Experience Questionnaire scores fell between those from low and high doses of psilocybin. Weakening of perceived body boundaries predicted greater ego-dissolution and mystical experience scores only in the mindfulness meditation group. Having an existing meditation practice was linked to stronger altered states in that group. Past psychedelic use did not predict the degree of altered consciousness, but openness to experience did. Combining validated measures with phenomenological analysis helps describe the rich conscious states produced by these interventions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Flotation-Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Consciousness Openness to experience Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Ego-dissolution and mystical-type experiences occur in both flotation-REST and mindfulness meditation, with body boundary weakening predicting these effects only in the meditation group, and openness to experience predicting altered states across both. |
Abstract
Flotation-Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) and mindfulness meditation (MM) are known to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC) and self-consciousness. In this study, we use a phenomenological and predictive processing (PP) framework to compare the interventions alongside the psychedelic experience. Ego-dissolution scores were greater than ego-inflation scores in both groups and Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) scores lay between those elicited by low and high dose psilocybin. The weakening of perceived body boundaries was predictive of increased ego-dissolution and MEQ_Total score in the MM group only. Having an existing meditation practice was associated with increased ASC in the MM group. Past psychedelic use did not predict the degree of ASC, but ‘openness to experience’ did. Our findings suggest that a combination of validated measures and phenomenological analysis proves illuminating in describing the rich phenomenological space occasioned by MM and flotation-REST, and for exploring the relationship between different aspects of consciousness.